Anna Hawthorne handmade books & such

Measurable goodness winner!

2009-04-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

I had lots of entries for my little giveaway and was so excited to see such exuberance for these humble brass rules. I really do wish I had a set for each of you. It was so much fun that have already decided I will have another giveaway soon--maybe paper. Or a handmade book. Or a kit.

The winner is... (cue cheesy drum roll)

ALEXA!

Congrats girl! Get in touch with your snail mail address at annahawthornebookarts at gmail dot com and I'll get them in the mail to you pronto. Then you must blog with photos of how you use them. (Well you don't have to, but it sure would be fun.)

In art, bigger really is better

2009-04-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

These days in the art community there is a wonderful movement that strives to get back to handcrafted, placing a premium on pieces that are brimming with the artist's personality. I agree, I much prefer the one-of-a-kind over the mass produced. I prefer smaller pieces that are well done over larger pieces that lack detail. That said, there are some things about your art that are better bigger.

Bigger Dreams. Goal setting is important, but don't forget your dreams in the day to day. When you are afraid, reach even higher.
Bigger Quality. How can you improve on your quality?
Bigger Knowledge. Take a class. Call a mentor. Read a book. Get into the studio and experiment. It is amazing how learning will spark the creative juices. Learn something new already!
Bigger Reputation. What do you want people to say when your name is mentioned? Make every effort to keep your word, ship on time and offer value every chance you can get.
Bigger Body of Work. Keep on growing. Keep on reaching. Keep on working.The most successful artists are the ones who are faithful to work work work.
Bigger Circle of Friends. Get out there and make sincere connections. Not just for your career but for your sanity. Friends keep you honest, give your ego a healthy boost and make sure you keep some balance. But adding to your professional Rolodex doesn't hurt either.
Bigger Heart. Be generous with your information. Offer freebies. Donate profits or do work to sell for charity. People love people who aren't afraid to share their knowledge with them.

These things, added up, will add up to a fulfilling artistic career. And all that will translate into bigger dollars, but all the other "biggers" will ensure that your increasing profits are not temporary, but a natural, permanent growth. And that bigger is definitely better.

Measureable goodness giveaway

2009-04-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

I am so geeky about all my bookbinding tools. I love my almond-scented Italian glue, my wooden bone folder, my Japanese punch. They inspire me every time I pick them up.

One tool I often reach for is my set of brass rules. They make measuring super simple, because I don't often plan ahead and have to do things one-handed. They are incremental and super handy for all sorts of things, from books to boxes to most any craft project where you need a standard measurement. I use them for drawing lines, spacing and folding paper.

Since I have two sets I thought I would pass on an extra set to a fortunate commenter. This set is still in the package from Hollander's.

To enter: simply leave a comment telling me that you that you don't already own a set and that you promise you will use them. One entry per person please.

If you promote this giveaway on Twitter you can leave a comment for an extra entry (making a total of two).

Deadline: April 30, 2009 at 9pm CST. Best of luck to you all!

You can judge a book by its cover

2009-03-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

The cover of a book, especially an antique, determines its value. A great volume with an intact spine and flyleaves is sought-after by collectors the world over.

When you make a book, keep in mind that the cover is not an afterthought. It is not simply a holder for the title or something to keep the pages inside from getting ruined. Yes it is all that too but it's more.

It's like the front door. It's the readers first interaction with your work. It's the thing they hold and manipulate to get to the "good stuff." It's the first stop on a journey through your work. Why not make it really count?

An article to enjoy is this one on an exhibit of the Morgan Library and Museum. A limited collection of their books spanning 1400 years displays the exquisite detail of the covers. You almost hate to open them up for fear the text won't live up.

When you maker your next book I hope you will take the opportunity to make the cover a work unto itself.

Finding artist book inspiration

2009-03-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

Creative block is one of the things I struggle with. Things are rocking along and then one day, without warning, it's like someone dammed up the river of ideas. Suddenly I got nothin'.

If you are stuck, lacking inspiration or just afraid to try something new, maybe you can try one of these:

Found Magazine is filled with ideas and inspiration. It's all about old receipts and love notes and pictures of strangers just begging for their story to be told. It's fun to peek into the life of a stranger this way.
Watch a video at TED.
Leave your work, close the door behind you and take a walk. Clearing your head does wonders for the creative process.
Check out these these packaging solutions. How creative!
Visit Vamp & Tramp Booksellers to peruse all the artist book happiness they have available.
Visit the Handmade Book Community's board to see what amateur and professional bookbinders from all over are up to.
Zybooks also has a good variety of artist books to drool over.

There are ton of other book artist sites but these are a few that I enjoy.

My Etsy favorites

2009-03-25T04:18:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share some things I love from other artisans at Etsy. It's hard not to buy everything I love at Etsy--even things that have nothing to do with books!

vlog: make your own book cloth

2009-03-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

Here's my first ever video tutorial--on making your own book cloth. Hope you find it helpful. Please understand, it is my first shot at this. Hope it's not too long!

Make your own book cloth from Anna Hawthorne on Vimeo.

Winning is just too much pressure

2009-03-04T21:33:00.000-08:00

Well the great news is that I won the journal I wrote about here. Woohoo! Thanks again Chrysti. She's a terrific artist and you can see her work all over the place. She's at her blog and at Twitter too.

I guess now that means I am going to become a journaler. Now I am obligated to pour my heart out on paper every day. Well, not really. I just get to tear one up, which for me is the best thing to do with one. Whew! Now I can relax.

I am also creating some of my own bookcloth. I'll post a tutorial soon, maybe a video showing how to do it, and maybe even one with a tour of my little bookmaking studio. You just never know.

Using your artistic voice

2009-02-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

I was reading this post on Sarah Hodson's blog. There is a new machine out there that I am crazy about. It's a screen printing machine that Provo has come out with that, like the Cricut, is going to revolutionize the craft world. See a video demo of Yudu here.

What I appreciated about Sara's post was the video from Provo featuring a man giving the homeless a voice using the machine. Please view the video.

It really got me thinking about communicating faith in art. There is reason for us to create beauty, to communicate the Gospel, to offer hope and help. We as Christians have a unique voice. We bring the hope of Christ to what we do. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:27

When we allow Christ to shine in our art we have something unique to offer, not just any hope, but the hope of glory.

Christ is come to save, to heal and to deliver. When we can get that across, not just in a literal way, but in the subtle artistic communication--that is one to one, artist to patron---you are able to reach the very soul of another person. Art disarms, connects and elevates. For a moment in time you are able to communicate soul to soul with a person you may never actually meet this side of heaven. you are truly, as Ron DiCianni puts it, "Going into all the world...one painting at a time." Or one book. Or collage. Pick your medium, the principle is the same.

What an exciting time to be an artist. Modern technology has brought the ability to get your art into people's hands to the next level. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to communicate the Good News to everyone you can. Be bold, be subtle, be brave.

In my next post I will share my personal art scriptures and how they fit into my artist statement.

The reluctant journaler

2009-01-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

I don't journal. There it is. I said it.

A book artist who doesn't journal? How can a bookmaker not spend hours filling beautiful books with deep thoughts flowing from her pen? I suppose it's like a musician who doesn't listen to her own music or a painter who owns none of her own work.

One reason I don't is because I think I don't have time. I would love to make artist journals but they are so labor intensive that I prefer to spend my time on other things. I drool over the stacks of books some book artists own and I admire the work it takes and the insight that journaling brings. But even a simple journal would work just as well, you may say. Well then you don't know me very well. I have a huge all-or-nothing aspect of my personality that finds it hard to do anything just a little bit.

Also all the books I make end up in the hands of family and friends and an occasional customer. There isn't much left for me, but I don't think that's too unusual. It is hard for me to keep a book when I know it will have such a happy life in someone else's hands.

Another reason is because I am a perfectionist. I would spend waaaay too much time getting the pages just right and defeat the purpose of the journal. One book that may help me overcome this perfectionist tendency is Chrysti's latest giveaway.

See her post for all the details and you can enter to win one for yourself. Would a bookmaker encourage such wanton destruction? Absolutely. Anything that will get someone to pick up a book is a good thing.

What is Bristol?

2009-01-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

My almost 11 yo daughter was flipping through the latest Dick Blick catalog, eyeing the tempera paints and charcoal pencils and gum erasers. When she got to the paper section she asked me question I had no answer for: what is Bristol paper? I have bought it many times for my text blocks when I wanted a toothy medium weight paper that was good for several different media, but wasn't really sure what made it distinctive. Wikipedia had the answer:

Bristol board (also referred to as Bristol paper) is a heavyweight paper used for technical drawing, illustration, and other two-dimensional art forms. Its basic size is 22.5″ × 28.5″ (572 × 724 mm) and its bulk thickness is .006 inches (0.15 mm) or higher^[1]. Bristol board is rated by the number of plies it contains.
The original bristol board was made in Bristol, England and was a pasted board made of paper containing rags.
Bristol board provides two working surfaces, front and back. This quality separates it from illustration board, which has only a front working surface. The surface texture can vary for different applications, including a smooth plate finish and a medium vellum. Artists working with friction-based media, such as crayon, chalks, or charcoal would use a rougher texture. Smooth finishes are generally more suited to other types of media, such as inks.
Bristol paper is also used for paperback book or catalog covers, file folders, tags, and tickets. Engravers or Wedding bristol paper may be used for formal engraved wedding invitations.

So now that you know you can choose the paper for your next project more carefully. Sometimes it really does matter what paper you use. Mixed media artists love the freedom of working with most anything but sometimes you need the right paper for the right job.

Belated Happy New Year!

2009-01-08T11:19:00.000-08:00

I pray that this will be your most peaceful, most productive, most beautiful year yet. I pray it is filled with family and laughter, love and contentment...and lots of handmade books and collages!

I try not to make resolutions because they only frustrate me, however I have decided to take a more deliberate tone in my artistic pursuits, so that is my goal, if you can call it that. I am making plans and sticking to them. I am going to make art because I cannot not make art. (And I suppose that means being a more deliberate blogger as well!) I have two projects in the works that I will offer more details on soon, one for a publication challenge and one about adoption. Stay tuned!

okay, I'm in :)

2008-12-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

I finally bit the bullet and joined Facebook and Twitter today. Sigh. I do not need more things to do online. However, I have many friends online and it will be fun to keep up with them and to hopefully market a little too. They are both really fun (and addictive too from what I hear). Find me on Twitter--search for annahawthorne-- and on Facebook look for my name.

Featured seller today!

2008-12-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today I am the featured seller on our BEST blog. It's been a fun ride this month, following the daily posts of such great bookbinders. There's a little something for everyone. Check out the blog for lots of interesting shop owners with terrific books to help check off your "to get" list this Christmas (or Hannukah).

This book is on sale today:

It's my new little softcover book I like to call a Companion Journal because you can take it with you everywhere. It's so friendly with signatures filled with upcycled paper like wallpaper samples, graph paper, foreign textbooks, drawing paper, art paper of all kinds and more. It begs to be used and loved. I have two in my store right now. Pick one up for a gift, or treat yourself!

Another book you might like--if you are a lefty like me--is a coptic stitched book. They lay nice and flat when opened. Here's one I just added yesterday:

"If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything"

2008-11-12T06:59:00.000-08:00

Evil Count Rugen in The Princess Bride was spot on. I am having lower back spasms and have been unable to sit or stand for any length of time since Friday. This puts a serious "cramp" in my life, as I have four kiddos and their home education to think of, besides getting into my studio.

Aaaaauuuugggghhhhh this hurts and frustrates me. I can get nothing artistic (or bloggy) done until I get better, which should be soon, now that I'm visiting the chiropractor daily. Please pray for me, that I will get better for my family's sake and also for my art. I will post again when I can (Lord willing this weekend), and we'll be back on track with Maundy Monday and more.

Maundy Monday Nov 3

2008-11-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

When I judge art, I take my painting and put it next to a God-made object like a tree or flower. If it clashes, it is not art.

-- Marc Chagall

Gotta love the simplicity of that statement. Nothing more I can add to that but a hearty "Amen." I think many artists (and patrons) today should refer to this quote---often. And for the art enthusiast and art novie--this quote can take the guesswork out of what qualifies as art. Love it.

Maundy Monday Oct 27

2008-10-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

I know, it's up a little late. My hubbie is out of town on business and I'm surprised how much his absence throws us off. We are really a team and I miss him when he's not here. :( That said, let's dive into our quote this week (emphasis hers):

It seems to me that the marks of personality--love, communication, and moral sensitivity--which are meant to sharpen as we are returning to communication with God, should lead to an increased rather than decreased creativity. The Christian should have more vividly expressed creativity in his daily life, and have more creative freedom, as well as the possibility of a continuing development in creative activities.

--Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

art by Wendy Allison

I must say that I love that book, but that is another discussion. :) I totally agree that as Christians, looking more like Christ includes increased creativity. It can't be helped. It always makes me sad to hear Christians downplay their talents and dismiss the idea that they possess any creativity. It's dismissing a part of you when you deny your creative self. Enjoy exploring your creative side. Take some risks. Ask the Holy Spirit for some inspiration and get out there and create something!

Maundy Monday Oct 20

2008-10-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing.

--William Dobell

I agree whole heartedly with Mr. Dobell. Even though we use different media, the principle is the same. As a Christian I strive for life in all my work because God is alive and I want Him to be in all of it. He created life, all living things. I strive, as I become more like Him, to also create things with His life. A book, a collage canvas, a clay pot are inanimate objects but when we allow God to participate in our work then it takes on a whole new dimension of life that other artists could not duplicate, not because we are great artists but because we collaborate with the Greatest Artist.

And He is not necessarily looking for me to recreate His creation, but for me to find my own interpretation of His handiwork. I love the impressionist masters' abilities to look out on a landscape and see a whole other world of color, texture and design. I think that sort of individual voice makes God very happy.

For me this takes the pressure off. I am free to be me, using the perspective that God gave me. Together we can create living works that glorify Him on many levels.

more accordion books

2008-10-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here is some eye candy!

Julie Chen is one of my all-time favorite book artists. See her at Flying Fish Press. This book is called "view." See the whole book here. It is worth the time to see her work.

Here is a pretty book using family photos.

Here is a great tutorial for making accordion fold books using envelopes form WhiMSy Love. They are too cute...and so handy too! (And I really like her musical chioces too!)

Here are some from our Bookbinding team at Etsy. Click on the picture to buy them.

Artful Maundy Monday Oct. 12

2008-10-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.

--Michelangelo

I hope, as Christian artists do, that my work will somehow glorify God, and not always in the obvious ways. We strive for our works to speak to His essence, to His Spirit, even if it is not a "Christian" piece. If you allow God to work with you in your studio, His will be evident in some way in the finished product. And we will be changed as well, as we listen to His voice.

As Michelangelo may well have referred to the "divine perfection" of his subject, God as Creator of all still is the light source. He still receives the glory for His creation, whether the artist knows it or not. Beauty is God and displaying beauty in your art will always please Him, even if no one else ever sees it.

This is the first of a new post series on faith and art. Please feel free to comment and start a [respectful] discussion about Protestant Christian faith and art.

An exciting new relationship

2008-10-08T08:00:00.001-07:00

And now for some more exciting news...

I have come on board as a designer with Layers of Color. Laura and her team are terrific and talented Christian artists that I am so fortunate to work with. My goals are to create a space for book artists to get inspiration and for non-book artists to find new things to try.

Look for tutorials here in the future, along with lots of pictures of beautiful bookmaking projects using Layers of Color stamps. LOC rubber stamps are so versatile that I can get hundreds of looks from the same stamp. And I will have a contest (or two!) here soon featuring these stamps in a project.

I will post when my gallery is up and ready so you can see the eye candy for yourself. Now visit Layers of Color already!

Book of the month: accordion fold

2008-10-07T17:07:00.000-07:00

An accordion book is my first "book of the month" offering. It is a simple, simple, simple book that almost anyone can make. If you can fold a paper and glue it, you can make this book. Here is a little tutorial on the basic accordion fold book.

accordion fold book tutorial

From these instructions you can make any variety of accordion books. For the rest of the month I'll explain more about this construction, offer lots of examples and show ones I've made as well.

I'm back!

2008-10-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Whew! What an interesting time I've had since Micah arrived. (Has it been six months already??) Now that things in my life have calmed down a bit I am able to get back to making books. [Insert cheesy smile here.] My materials have been quietly calling to me from my little corner studio and it is so nice to get back to the business of creating there.

I have some terrific things planned for my blog/site/store/you that will roll out between now and Christmas (including a giveaway!). Thanks to all of you for your patience and understanding. And next week the first of the book goodness gets underway with my first "book of the month" offering. I will share a quick tutorial and sample of the book of the month. We'll discuss the history of the particular binding and other pertinent info and then have lots of fun discussing it and hopefully you will be inspired to try a book yourself.

Join me right here the first part of next week when I unveil the first monthly book. Anyone care to guess what it will be?...

Final sale on my handmade books

2008-07-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Due to personal reasons I have to put the brakes on my handmade books business for the forseeable future. I am giving you all one last chance to get a one-of-a-kind book by moi at a good price. Color choice is mine (to use up my materials) but you may specify light or dark colors.

Optional hard cover binding:
Elizabeth: 5X7 coptic stitch $25

Soft over books:
Mimi: 4X5
Jane: 5X7

Any of these above books are $20, which includes shipping and cute wrapping.

I will take orders only through about July 15, so place your order now. I accept Paypal at hawthornefive at hotmail dot com and please contact me at that address, as these are not Etsy listings but personal ones here.

(If you have The Easy French or the Noah Plan Third Grade Lessons and are willing to trade for handmade books, please let me know and we can negotiate a fair price.)

handy homekeeping books

2008-06-05T11:12:00.001-07:00

I made three little books yesterday. Three helpful little books. They are not my usual type (these are comb-bound) but they are really handy.Lady Lydia had a great idea that I had to try. These books are little homekeeping books. They are a simple type of planner. What I am so crazy about is:

the comb binding (my left handedness loves that it opens flat for writing)

the cute papers (I am very visual)

the blank pages just begging for doodling and other artwork each day

the customization

the small size (5X7)
it used materials I have on hand, so they didn't cost another dime

my ability to change papers out as I need to

the laminated covers and dividers should wear well

Here's a look at my little tabbed pages. I eyeballed and cut out the tabs and labeled them with a Sharpie after they were laminated so I could change the topics if I wanted. Right now they are Prayer, Home, School and Etc.

Now I can start each day with a clean slate, er, paper. I can make notes, circle things, make notes of all kinds so I don't forget things (maybe). So you may ask why I don't just use something electronic. I have a PDA. This makes me happy, the PDA does not. I also have a big paper planner. It is too bulky for my diaper bag (which doubles as my purse). This little book keeps all my thoughts and notes in one handy place. And hey, look at the title of this blog. I'm a little bit into making books.

And my girls chose the papers for their own little books. They are so different! And I added some ribbons to the spines as well.

The idea is that they will have a place for scheduling their day, keeping notes of all kinds and generally developing skills for caring for home and family. Who doesn't need a lovely little book for keeping notes and memories in?

Journal class book 1

2008-06-03T14:27:00.001-07:00

Here's the first attempt in the online class I'm in with Sue Bleiweiss.

Sorry they're too dark. It's a little 5X6 book that fits right in my diaper bag. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. It's my new art journal, which I have desperately needed for a long time. The pages are a variety of papers in several shapes, sizes and colors. The cover is two sheets of scrapbook paper with tyvek fabric sandwiched between. It turned out great, really strong. Then I also swirled gloss gel medium all over it to make it resistant to spills and dirt. This thing is really really sturdy.

By the way, don't try piercing holes while distracted by a crying infant. They will not come out straight and you will be waaaaay more stressed than you need to be for a cute little baby. or for a cute little book.

I don't know if I will get a chance to make another before lesson 2 comes out on Friday. Hope so though, I'd like to make a bigger one with a fabric cover to serve as a school journal (for our homeschool) or maybe as a gift.

Good news

2008-05-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

My Web site is now up! The copy is a little anemic but I finally had time to get the skeleton up. The page I am most excited about is the Instruction page. I plan to offer tutorials and such, and even an online class in the near future.

Speaking of online classes, I am starting a class with Sue Bleiweiss that I am so stoked about. It starts Monday so there's still time to join us! Look for my class projects here for the next 5 weeks. Eeeeee! (The link to the class is here.)

Big sale weekend

2008-05-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Me and my bookmaking friends are having a sale this weekend. See our BEST blog for the skinny.

My sale: free shipping to USA and a free case bound mini book with each book order. This is a great time to get a gift for Father's Day and a little something (literally!) for yourself! Click the book to visit my store.

The big day!

2008-05-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Well, if you haven't noticed, there are some big changes here. I have a new look and a new focus. Well, not really a "new" focus, more like getting back home. Books are my first love, so I am focusing my creative energies there instead of in general craftiness. I have had the best time getting everything ready for my big reveal. My web site is still getting a face lift, so I will let you know when that's ready to see. There will be some good stuff there, when I get it all done, including links and tutorials on bookmaking and paper treatments.

I have added several books to my store and I also am having a sale this weekend (tune in tomorrow for the details!). See the box in my sidebar for a sneak peek of my new additions.

And thanks to lolaness for her graphic design genius. She rocks. If you need any graphic work done she is super fast and creative. Visit her site to see what she can do.

Big news tomorrow...

2008-05-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Tune in Thursday for the exciting annoucement I've been waiting to share with you! Anyone care to guess what I'm announcing?...

what I am up to...

2008-05-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

Here's what I did last night: five fabulous smallish blank books, three with my own marbled papers and two with cool scrapbook paper. ( click the photo for more detailed pic.) Look for them in the store soon...

And don't you love my book press in the background there? I use it a lot. A LOT. What a great investment.

Oh, and here's the latest of Micah:

I can't believe he's two months old already! My how time flies. :)

food for (book) thought

2008-05-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

Every year around April Fool's Day there is a little known but hilarious event known as Books 2 Eat. It is a chance for book artists everywhere to create completely edible works, and the creativity is amazing. See the photos from past years below. The ideas the artists come up with are ingenious. I hope you'll consider hosting a Books 2 Eat event next year in your area. It's a wonderful way to meet other local artists--and eat some yummy books!

Books 2 Eat

What is an artist book?

2008-05-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

There is an amazing art form that is taking hold of the art world. It is known as artist books. I can't say enough good things about them. In their highest form they are the best combination of content, structure and materials the artist can create. They are not just books, they are 3 dimensional art. Here are some links to offer more detailed explanations:

Wikipedia

Angela Lorenz
Otis has this great definition:

Artists' books are exceptionally varied and creative by their very nature. The complex medium employs the book, in any of its various guises (scroll, codex, fold-out or single sheet boxed, to name but a few forms of books) as an original work of art. They usually integrate the formal means of conception and production with aesthetic or thematic aspects. Artists' books are considered unique works of art in one-of-a-kind or small edition multiples. Some now are mass produced. The variety of its form makes the artist book difficult to define. The twentieth century witnessed particularly varied and creative experimentation with artists' books culminating with an expansion of the medium in the '60 and '70s. California became a center of production.

Today artist books are everywhere. I look forward to sharing tons more about artist books, including featuring my favorites, in the future.

Mother's Day cinquain

2008-05-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

For my mom's Mother's Day gift this year I went the handmade route. I made her a cute little hanging plaque with a poem I wrote just for her. Unfortunately I forgot to scan it before I gave it (sorry!). In case you don't know, a cinquain is a 5 line poem that goes like this:

one word (noun)
two adjectives about the noun
three verbs about the noun
a four-word phrase about the noun
another word for the noun

Mine went like this:

Mom

artistic, kind

listening, accepting, loving

always there for me

Friend

I love cinquains because you can easily write a wonderful poem by following this simple "recipe."

Hope you bless a mom in your life with something happily handmade.

Otis artist books

2008-05-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

Otis College of Art and Design has one of the most user-friendly artist book catalogs I've come across. This site is great because you can search by things like technique, binding and more. Lots of eye candy but I am not responsible for what you may run across there, as I did not look at every book. Enjoy!

new items at Etsy store and excitement coming...

2008-05-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have added a few subscriptions for my new Book of the Month so now you can get handmade books delivered right to your door every month. What's not to love??

Also I discounted my hand marbled papers to half price so you can snatch them up for your next art project. I will add several more beautiful hand marbled and paste papers this week, in single sheets and in packs great for any paper project.

My goodness I have exciting news to share very soon about things here in the studio. I cannot wait to share it with you! Look for undates soon...

My books are going global

2008-03-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

Anita was kind enough to buy one of my books from my Etsy store. She happens to live in Cambridgeshire in the UK. Here's her blog post of how she's putting the book she got to good use. Man I wish I could draw like that...

Thanks for the post Anita! It was so fun to see a book I made put to use right away.

Welcome to the world baby boy

2008-03-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well this is a terribly belated post but I hope you understand.

Micah Joseph Hawthorne joined our family on March 12, 2008. He was 6 lb. 14 oz and 19.75 in. of pure bliss. Labor was, well, labor, but it wasn't unbearable. He was born pink and skinny and perfect. And his brother and sisters can't get enough of him. But neither can we.

Thanks for all your prayers and support during my pregnancy. It's nice to have my body back to myself (except for the breastfeeding!). I can take a deep breath and rest peacefully again. Whew!

He is quiet and peaceful and sticks to a schedule pretty well. We are settling into a routine that works for us, and just about the time I get used to that he'll hit a growth spurt and everything will change. But isn't that what life's all about? Babies are the very best kind of change. We are truly blessed. I hope to post more pics soon.

Counting down...

2008-03-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

We are a short week away from welcoming our newest little Hawthorne. We are busy bees around here, cleaning and cooking and generally getting prepared for his arrival. I am very tired, but also looking forward to finally meeting face to face. There is a LOT to do before he gets here, so I have enlisted my brood to help gets the house in order so when we get home things will be clean and oh so neat---well, as neat as 5 people can keep it.

This is the bedding that we chose for him (from Wal-Mart). His big brother loves all things with wheels, and since they will share a room we thought this was a good choice. The green in the quilt just matches their wall color perfectly. I love when things like that work out.

It has been such a long pregnancy with many adventures and I am looking forward to meeting our little one and kissing him and holding him in my arms. There's nothing like snuggling up with a newborn...

If you think of us, please say a prayer that things will go smoothly and we will have a beautiful and otherwise uneventful birth. I can't wait to share his name and stats with you all, which I will do when I feel up to it. And I can't wait to share all the plans I have for art, my Etsy store and other general art news here at Anna Hawthorne Studios. It's all very exciting!

Ice storm

2007-12-14T16:29:00.000-08:00

I live in Oklahoma and we are still in the throes of our state's largest power outage in history. And tonight we are slated to get 1-3 inches of snow. Sigh...

The power went out at our house on Sunday, December 9 at about noon. We were getting lunch together because my daughters had their big Christmas production that night (about 100 kids in all). So we changed our lunch plans and headed out for church. I hastily threw some stuff for the night into a bag and we were off. After church we still had no power, so we went to our in-laws' for the night. At 2 AM their power also went off. Ugh...

We have spent the week in the dark and the cold. Thankfully we had a fireplace and a gas stove. But let me tell you that sitting in the dark all night is NOT fun! And I had no way to do anything artistic, as all my supplies were at my house. It was a very l---o---n---g week. Aaaauuugggghhhh.....

We got our power back last night (Thursday December 13) and our cable on today, so we are a grateful family. we spent today cleaning out the fridge (all our cold food spoiled), washing clothes and doing some general cleaning. My in-laws still do not have power, though they should soon. It was so strange being out of our element. We had no TV or computer. The kids were enjoying their days playing games, doing crafts and once we went to the movies and the mall. Some things about this week were enjoyable, but I still wouldn't want to do it again!

Decisions, decisions...

2007-12-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

Every December I feel pressure. Not about gift-giving but about the New Year looming just around the corner; and what I should do with the gift that is time.

It's like a new pad of paper, all fresh and clean and ready to be written on. It's full of promise and potential. And every year I wonder what on earth I should be doing with it. I thought I would do something this next year with writing. I wanted to start a zine for home educators that mixed a little art and a lot of encouragement. But the more I pondered the idea the more uneasy I became. When in the world would I have the time to do any art? With a new baby due in March and a deadline ever looming, not to mention homeschooling and other personal obligations, when could I work in time to play?

So as I talked things over with my DH I came to realize where my heart truly lies--not in front of my computer but in my studio. I love to write, but it doesn't fuel me like making things with my hands does. There is nothing like completing a project that I am excited about. I love touching my projects and the energy the artistic process gives back to me, and I don't get that from writing.

Church is one place that I saw a big difference between writing and art. Many times during praise and worship I would get artistic ideas and solutions to projects. I have never gotten a writing idea while in a time of worship. That says a lot to me. My art is such an extension of my worship that it's second nature for me to get designs and other ideas while in God's presence.

I really have no idea what 2008 holds for me and my growing family. But I do know that I have to finally follow my dreams and not my pocketbook. Part of those dreams include paints and paper, block printing and gesso. I am so excited--and a little nervous!

Some of my fave art sites

2007-12-05T13:06:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love window shopping? I love to visit the sites of other artists and craftspeople. It's inspiring, challenging and refreshing to my artistic sensibilities. Here are some places I like to go:

Priscilla Foster Handmade Books
Diana Trout
Lynne Perella
One Girl--(I admit I have Web site envy!)
Dreaming Mind Handmade Books
Sally Jean
Jennifer Black

Oh my goodness I could go on and on. Feel free to leave a comment with your link or a link to an artist you enjoy.

Just so you know...

2007-12-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

I added a subscription feature at the top of the sidebar so you can get an email each time I add a new post. I love these because I can't always visit my favorite blogs. They send me an update and I never miss out.

It's my plan to get better about posting here. I know things have been terribly quiet around here lately. That's about to change!...

More handmade goodness for gift-giving

2007-12-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas gift-giving many people are trying to stop the commercialism and go handmade. Giving a gift made by hand doesn't mean you have to make it with your own hands. Feel free to patronize artists and craftspeople and enjoy more of your precious holiday time, knowing you are helping artists and avoiding the commercialism trap.

I have added 5 new books to my Etsy store. Blank books make terrific gifts for almost anyone on your list. Some are made with handmade paste paper and hand-marbled paper. Enjoy!

Visit Anna Hawthorne Studios right now!

I am also available to make custom books. If you have someone on your list with a particular passion or interest, I can create a one-of-a-kind book that they will love. Contact me at anna at annahawthorne dot com for details and pricing and we can get started on it today!

The best laid plans...

2007-10-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

God must get a real kick out of how we order our days. Our vision is so myopic and self-focused. I have to smile now when I read the last post about my grandiose plans. None of those things have happened (except the "no buying new stuff" one), but it's not a lost cause. I am pregnant with our fourth blessing and it has been a challenging time with constant nausea and fatigue beyond belief. Also I educate my kids at home, so there are lessons to plan, meals to cook and a husband to enjoy. So needless to say, my little agenda went right out the window! But that doesn't mean I haven't done what I really needed to do.

God knows best. There are seasons for everything, and this was my time to focus on my family. Now I know another season is coming up, and I really want to get some products to offer you all into my Etsy store. But I'm not going to sacrifice my childrens' education and the joy of Christmas to get it done. So we will see what the next month has in store. God is good and His mercy endures forever! Now I'm off for a little rare time alone to putter in my studio...

new resolutions to jumpstart my art

2007-08-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Wanted:

time and energy to make lots of terrific art

I was thinking how sad I have been that I have not been able to keep up my art as I would like, for reasons I am not ready to reveal. My studio has been languishing and so has my right brain!

That said, I'm listing ways I can revive those creative juices, so here's my proposal to myself. The idea is to finish the year like I started it: strong.

Not to buy any new supplies for the rest of the year (except paper and adhesive). I have waaaaaay too much stuff!

To make at least one thing each month that is not obligated to someone or something.

To add to my etsy store each wekk until the end of the year.

To be early with my swaps.

To complete my Jesse Tree ornaments before the end of November.

I hope to be able to keep up this pace. It's exciting to think about how the "no new stuff" restraint will stretch my creativity.

New necklaces

2007-06-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been working on these little collage charm necklaces far lack of bookmaking time. Here are the newest ones I've made:

They are fun because they are so small (less than an inch wide and about an inch long). Like inchies, they can be whipped up in a flash. If you are interested in one of these (they aren't in my Etsy store yet), please contact me at hawthornefive at hotmail dot com.

My Etsy store is woefully empty and I hope to remedy that soon. I have 15 books that I need to cut paper and sew. They are yummy! I'll post a tease about those later. Also I have some cool collage packs I like to call "Collage Frosting." They are all the cool bits that make collage fun, organized according to color for easy shopping. But that will have to wait. I am terribly nauseated today from some iron I took last night (BIG mistake!!) so maybe this weekend I can add to my little store.

update

2007-06-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like I hven't been here in a while... ha! I am working slowly on this blog so that one of these days I can really get into the mechanics of bookmaking and the how-to's of crafty things.

On my plate this week is a book for my cousin, who is getting married next week. They are going to be missionaries, so they don't need fru-fru or useless things. My plan is to make them a sort of joint journal to chronicle their first year of marriage and the adventures thereof.

I also just ordered a book I have wanted for a long time. My plan is to make lots more books this next school year. And we are also making journals to encourage us to write.

welcome to my blog

2006-09-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

about art. I am a mixed media artist and crafter. I wanted a place to share what I'm up to. Check back soon for uploads and more!